Search Team

Handlers and Ground Search Resources

All Category 5 K9 ground resources are professional volunteers who maintain training in current disaster and wilderness search and rescue best practices. All volunteers are trained in:

• GPS and Land Navigation

• Crime Scene Preservation

• Bloodborne Pathogens

• First Aid and CPR

All handlers and ground search volunteers maintain SARTECH II certifications through National Association for Search and Rescue.

Air Scent Canines

Air scent canines, also known as area search canines, are trained to find any living person in their designated search area. These canines primarily work off leash and can search large areas, such as parks, woods, and pastures. Air scent canines will alert their handler once they have found a person in their search area.

Human Remains Detection Canines

Human remains detection canines, also referred to as cadaver dogs, are trained to find the odor of decomposing human remains. These dogs can be used to identify large or small remains related to crime scenes, cold cases, or missing person searches. Human remains detection canines will alert their handler once they identify the odor of human remains.

Disaster Search Canines

Disaster search canines are trained to find people trapped after natural or man-made disasters. These dogs are trained to search areas that may not be stable enough for people to traverse. Disaster search canines are trained to pinpoint where they find the strongest odor from the trapped person and bark to alert their handler.